The National Library of Medicine (NLM) is experiencing delays in the publication of Index Medicus and the 2002 List of Journals Indexed in Index Medicus (LJI) which is usually shipped with the January issue of Index Medicus. NLM recently implemented a new data creation and maintenance system which references the data that are included in both of these publications. This has necessitated changes in the programs that produce them and the development of new procedures for ensuring that both are accurate and complete.

The December 2001 Index Medicus is the first issue to be produced using the new software. The layout of the publication has been preserved to the extent possible, but users may notice a slight variation in the placement of data or use of punctuation. NLM expects that subscribers should receive the December issue in late January 2002.

Subscribers to LJI will receive their copy with a forthcoming monthly shipment of Index Medicus. The January and February 2002 issues of Index Medicus are expected to be delivered in February 2002. Changes and improvements made to Index Medicus will be detailed in the 2002 preface. NLM regrets the inconvenience caused by these delays, but expects to return to the normal production schedule with the February Index Medicus issue.